Calling for President Tinubu’s Intervention to End the Ethnic Profiling, Victimization, and Marginalization Against Ndigbo in Lagos State

 A STITCH IN TIME: Calling for President Tinubu’s Intervention to End the Ethnic Profiling, Victimization, and Marginalization Against Ndigbo in Lagos State

 

The constitutional promise of unity in diversity and equal citizenship in Nigeria is increasingly being challenged by persistent ethnic profiling, victimization, and socio-political marginalization of the Igbo people—collectively known as Ndigbo—especially in Lagos State. As Nigeria’s first citizen and father of all, as well as a national leader, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is hoped to rise above regional loyalties and partisan considerations to address these festering injustices and prevent their degeneration into deeper social unrest or national instability. Ndigbo are expected and requested not to indulge in any retaliatory measures.

 

The Igbo community in Lagos has, for decades, been a major contributor to the economic vibrancy, innovation, and demographic richness of the state. Yet, in recent years—and particularly during the 2023 general elections—there was a disturbing resurgence of hate speech, political disenfranchisement, targeted violence, destruction of Igbo-owned businesses, and deliberate attempts to exclude Igbos from political participation and property ownership through coercion and state-backed silence.

 

Such developments contradict the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to live, vote, own property, and conduct lawful business in any part of the country. The Lagos State government’s failure to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of ethnic hate crimes, and the conspicuous silence of federal authorities, sends a dangerous message: that ethnic discrimination can be tolerated or even politically weaponized.

 

President Tinubu, as a former governor of Lagos and now the leader of Nigeria, bears both a moral and constitutional responsibility to protect all citizens—regardless of ethnicity or political alignment. His intervention must include:

1.       A clear public condemnation of ethnic profiling and incitement against Ndigbo;

2. The establishment of an independent panel of inquiry into election-related ethnic violence and hate speech in Lagos;
3. A directive to law enforcement to investigate and prosecute all ethnic hate crimes, irrespective of political affiliation;
4. Promotion of civic education and social cohesion initiatives to heal divisions and build interethnic trust;
5. Encouragement of inclusive policies that allow all residents—Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, or others—to thrive and participate fully in governance and society.

 

The long-term peace and unity of Nigeria depend on a leadership that is just, inclusive, and committed to constitutional values. Failing to protect the rights of any ethnic group in one part of Nigeria is a failure to protect all Nigerians, everywhere. President Tinubu’s silence or inaction will only embolden extremists and deepen the wedge among Nigeria’s diverse peoples, even after his administration. His proactive and bold intervention can set the tone for healing, justice, and a recommitment to national unity. Lagos State and Nigeria needs all its inhabitants to excel.

 

 

Noble Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (KSJI), FAHOA, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, CMC  

Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo Lagos State

Past President General, Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL)